Airforce valve into new bottle, how tight?

[kkarmical]

On a new tank, how tight do you install a new valve?

Any little thing that isn't common sense here?

[Kinetic45^]

Two possibilities here a small bottle that will usually not get handled by the valve like the 2" diameter tanks on bottle guns and Texans
For future reference: Or the big bottles where the valves become handles to shift and lift them, they have to have more tightening torque to resist unscrewing. And you are not saying whether it is o-ring sealed or tapered thread sealed. The bottle manufacturer sets the torque but in general its usually between 50 and 75 ft-lbs for the o-ring ones. If it's tapered threads in general guideline, after hand-tight engagement, tighten 2 full turns for sizes up to 1 inch for NPT thread fittings. You should have between 3.5 and 6 engaged threads, but usually bottles tolerances are such that you get 6 to 8 threads engaged.

On the small bottles, with 18mm-1.5 threads, because they are o-ring sealed all it has to be is more than hand tight, empty. When there is pressure it locks the threads too.  And the carbon fiber pressure liner is aluminum threads so that reduces the torque wanted too.
Anything 20 to 30 Ft-lb should be good, a strap wrench or even an oil filter wrench (Padded so no bottle damage) with LIGHT pressure will do enough to make it too tight to unscrew in normal use.

Don't put the bottle in a vise, it will DAMAGE IT!

On the Texans, I generally use a strap wrench to hold the bottle and a Texan wrench I bought on eBay (or a proper fitting pin wrench works too) There's a couple different prices for AirForce valve wrenches but most are a ring with a bolt in it. Look at the pictures and it's an easy DIY)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Airforce-Condor-Talon-Valve-Removal-Wrench-/283590243266

[subscriber]

usually between 50 and 75 ft-lbs for the o-ring ones.

ft.lb or inch.lb? 

[kkarmical]

It's an o-ring type.  I'm going to make one of those tools, just looks like a long bolt and a collar.  I'll look for materials today and see if I can put it together.

I have a strap wrench and a oil filter wrench so have that covered, don't know the o-ring size though.

Torque ft lbs or inch lbs how to exactly measure either using the bolt collar tool?

That means removing gauge from valve or can I get away with leaving it in and using bolt without collar and tighten it, I think it has to come off for removal or installation not sure though.
Thanks for the help.

[PakProtector]

The AF bottles with m18x1.5 threads take a 116 o-ring. Matter of fact every one of those M18 tanks I have takes a 116 o-ring. 75 Ft-LB is nutty, all you have to do is snug it up, and pressurize and that joint is going *NOWHERE*.
cheers,
Douglas

[kkarmical]

The AF bottles with m18x1.5 threads take a 116 o-ring. Matter of fact every one of those M18 tanks I have takes a 116 o-ring. 75 Ft-LB is nutty, all you have to do is snug it up, and pressurize and that joint is going *NOWHERE*.
cheers,
Douglas

Thanks for the oring size and info.